- the fake condoms were found to be made from thinner latex, with smaller teat ends and insufficient lubrication
- Further findings revealed clear differences between the original and fake products, including variations in packaging design
- However, the fake versions circulating in the market do not meet required safety and quality standards
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised alarm over the spread of counterfeit Kiss brand condoms in several major markets across Nigeria, warning that the fake products pose serious health risks to users.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the warning was contained in a public notice released by the agency on Monday, identified as Public Alert No. 042/2025, following intelligence received from DKT International Nigeria, a prominent non-governmental organisation engaged in contraceptive social marketing and HIV/AIDS prevention.
EDITOR’S PICK
- Obaseki Condemns Attack As Suspected Thugs Strip Cousin Naked In Benin
- Nigeria Remains Stable, Not at War, Edun Assures Investors
- Lagos Shines as Eyo Festival Returns to TBS
According to NAFDAC, the falsified condoms have reportedly been sighted in popular commercial hubs including Onitsha Market, Idumota Market, Trade Fair Market, as well as markets in Kano, Abuja, Uyo, Gombe and Enugu, among others.
The agency explained that Kiss condoms are male latex contraceptives designed to prevent unwanted pregnancies and protect users against sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, gonorrhoea and syphilis.
However, the fake versions circulating in the market do not meet required safety and quality standards.
NAFDAC cautioned that the counterfeit condoms are unsafe, citing issues such as poor manufacturing quality, lack of sterilisation, inadequate lubrication, incorrect labelling and non-compliance with regulatory requirements.
The agency warned that using such substandard products could lead to condom breakage, increased risk of infections, allergic reactions and failure to provide effective protection, thereby exposing users to serious health dangers while giving a false sense of security.
Further findings revealed clear differences between the original and fake products, including variations in packaging design, colour shade, manufacturer details, missing medical device information, incomplete caution instructions and generally inferior condom structure.
NAFDAC noted that the counterfeit packs are often darker in colour, poorly printed, and may carry distorted designs, incorrect or incomplete manufacturer addresses and inconsistent barcodes.
In addition, the fake condoms were found to be made from thinner latex, with smaller teat ends and insufficient lubrication compared to the genuine Kiss brand.
The agency disclosed that its zonal and state offices have been directed to step up monitoring, surveillance and enforcement activities to track down and remove the counterfeit condoms from circulation nationwide.
NAFDAC urged distributors, retailers, healthcare workers and members of the public to exercise caution and ensure that medical products are sourced only from licensed and approved outlets.
It also encouraged Nigerians to promptly report any suspected cases of fake or substandard medical products to the nearest NAFDAC office or through the agency’s official reporting channels, adding that the alert would also be shared with the World Health Organisation’s global surveillance system.
FURTHER READING
